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Christy Bieber, J.D.
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Michael Benninger
Michael BenningerManaging Editor
With more than 15 years of experience crafting content about all aspects of personal finance, Michael Benninger knows how to identify smart moves for your money. His work has been published by Intuit, Insider and the Los Angeles Times, and he's been...
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Updated: Sep 10, 2024, 12:00pm
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Trusts are legal entities used to manage assets on behalf of beneficiaries. A grantor creates and transfers assets to a trust, which legally holds them until they’re ready to be distributed. The grantor names a trustee to manage and administer trust property and beneficiaries who ultimately receive the assets.
Sometimes, trusts need a place to put cash. That’s where a trust account comes in. Trust bank accounts hold trust funds and may earn interest, cover expenses or simply store money for the trust. But only some financial institutions offer trust accounts.
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Show Summary
- Featured Partner
- Best Banks for Trust Accounts in September 2024
- Summary : Best Banks for Trust Accounts
- What Is a Trust Account and How Does It Work?
- What Is the Purpose of a Trust Account?
- What Are the Different Types of Trust Accounts?
- How Do You Open a Trust Account?
- Next Up In Banking
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Best Banks for Trust Accounts in September 2024
The best banks for trust accounts include those that offer low or no-fee accounts, earn high APYs, or additional features like trustee services. Account details and annual percentage rates (APYs) are accurate as of September 10, 2024.
Best for Fee-Free Accounts
Ally Bank
Products
Trust checking, savings, CD and money market accounts
Fees
No monthly maintenance, overdraft or low balance fees
Learn More
Read Our Full Review
Trust checking, savings, CD and money market accounts
No monthly maintenance, overdraft or low balance fees
Editor's Take
Ally Bank is one of the best banks for fee-free trust bank accounts because it charges no fees specific to trust accounts and offers many account options for either revocable or irrevocable trusts. This includes checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs and money market accounts. In addition to no trust fees, there are no monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, low balance fees or other significant fees to speak of for any account.
Read our full Ally Bank Review.
Pros & Cons
- No trust fees, monthly maintenance fees or overdraft fees
- Multiple trustees permitted
- Can convert existing Ally accounts
- 24/7 customer service
- Accounts not available for business or corporate trusts
- No physical branches
- Cash deposits not accepted
Details
It’s quick and simple to open a trust account online with Ally, and you can also convert non-IRA accounts into trust accounts. Ally allows for multiple trustees on each trust bank account as well.
You will need to provide a Certification of Trust when opening a trust account. Other written trust agreement documents are accepted if this is not available. To apply for a trust checking, savings, money market or certificate of deposit with Ally, you will choose the product you’re applying for and indicate that it’s for a trust.
Best for Investing
Betterment
Products
Trust investment and cash management accounts
Fees
Monthly investing fees
Trust investment and cash management accounts
Monthly investing fees
Editor's Take
Betterment is one of the best banks for investment trust accounts because it caters to both revocable and irrevocable trusts with its personal investing and cash accounts. Betterment Cash Reserve accounts earn 5.00% variable APY on all balances and are FDIC-insured. Plus, Betterment requires minimal documentation for trust accounts. You can open an account online, convert a personal account, add multiple trusts and give different trustees their own logins. Betterment also lets you automate cash transfers to a beneficiary to simplify asset management.
Read our full Betterment Review.
Pros & Cons
- Competitive APY
- Multiple trustees permitted
- Automated cash transfers
- Must open a brokerage account
- Monthly or annual investment fees
- Only available to trusts authorized to trade U.S. securities
Details
There are no fees for Cash Reserve, but you need a personal Betterment brokerage account to qualify. Investing plans start at $4 a month.
To open a trust account with Betterment as a new customer, you will need to follow the steps to first open an investment account and invest in a portfolio of assets. Choose “Trust” when asked what you’re saving for to access the trust account application. Trusts must be U.S. domestic trusts in good standing and authorized to trade U.S. securities. Contact Betterment at [email protected] to add multiple trustees to your account or for other questions about trusts.
Best Credit Union
Alliant Credit Union
Products
Trust checking, savings and CD accounts
Fees
Monthly paper statement fee
Trust checking, savings and CD accounts
Monthly paper statement fee
Editor's Take
Alliant Credit Union is one of the best credit unions you can choose for opening a trust bank account because it provides four account options for trusts, including a high-yield savings account, supplemental savings account, high-yield checking account and CDs. The Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking account has no monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements and earns 0.25% APY, and the Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Savings account and Alliant Credit Union Supplemental Savings account pay up to 3.10% APY. Alliant’s CD rates are competitive with the best CD rates available.
Read our full Alliant Credit Union Review.
Pros & Cons
- Multiple account types available
- No maximum balance limit
- No or low account fees
- Electronic deposit required to earn interest
- No physical branches
- Must become a credit union member
- No debit card with checking
Details
To join Alliant and open a trust account, you can become a member of the non-profit Foster Care to Success for a one-time $5 membership fee, paid on your behalf by the credit union.
To earn 0.25% APY on checking, you must receive a single monthly electronic deposit and sign up for eStatements. To earn 3.10% APY on savings, you must maintain an average daily balance of $100 or more. The High-Rate Savings account charges a $1 monthly paper account statement fee you can waive by electing eStatements. You can open trust accounts as a new or existing member. You will need to provide a copy of your trust agreement or Certification of Trust to apply for a trust bank account. Alliant offers NCUA insurance coverage up to $250,000 per account, per depositor.
Best for Trustee Services
Fidelity
Products
Trust investment and cash management accounts
Fees
Investing fees and (optional) personal trust service fees
Trust investment and cash management accounts
Investing fees and (optional) personal trust service fees
Editor's Take
Fidelity earned a spot on this list of best banks for trust accounts—despite actually being a brokerage firm—because it offers trustee services in addition to multiple trust account options. Trusts can open either brokerage or cash management accounts, and Fidelity also provides optional trustee services through Fidelity Personal Trust Company. The company can serve as trustee or co-trustee to help with trust administration, record keeping, asset distributions and more.
Read our full Fidelity Investments Review.
Pros & Cons
- Personal trust services available
- Multiple account types available
- Branch locations in most states
- Paper applications required in several states
- Investment fees
- Higher minimum fees for trustee services
Details
Fidelity charges a $4,500 minimum fee for its administrative trustee service and a $3,375 fee to act as an agent for the trustee. These personal trust service fees are relatively low.
You will need a copy of your trust agreement on hand to open a trust account with Fidelity. Personal trustee services are optional. You do not need to have a personal brokerage account with Fidelity to open a trust brokerage or cash management account. Notarized paper applications are required in California, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee and Vermont
Best for Saving
Synchrony Bank
On Synchrony Bank's Website - Member FDIC
Trust savings, CD and money market accounts
No monthly maintenance, overdraft or low balance fees
Editor's Take
Synchrony Bank is a top bank for trustees with plans to save because it offers money market accounts, CDs and savings accounts for revocable and irrevocable trusts. These accounts feature competitive APYs and have no minimum balance requirements. This bank also provides better cash availability than most, supplying ATM cards to grantors who serve as trustees of revocable trusts for its High Yield Savings and Money Market accounts. Synchrony also reimburses some ATM fees for out-of-network transactions.
Read our full Synchrony Bank Review.
Pros & Cons
- ATM cards and checks available
- No minimum deposit requirements
- No monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements
- No physical branches
- Trust account applications must be mailed in
Details
Though Synchrony is an online bank, it requires you to mail your trust application with documentation.
Trust account applications require you to provide personal information for all trustees and copies of your trust title page, signature and notary pages and pages showing the names and appointments of trustees. Only personal U.S. trusts qualify. All trustees must complete and sign the application before mailing.
Summary : Best Banks for Trust Accounts
Company | Company - Logo | Forbes Advisor Rating | Forbes Advisor Rating | Products | Fees | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ally Bank | Trust checking, savings, CD and money market accounts | No monthly maintenance, overdraft or low balance fees | Learn More | Read Our Full Review | ||||
Betterment | Trust investment and cash management accounts | Monthly investing fees | Learn More | Read Our Full Review | ||||
Alliant Credit Union | Trust checking, savings and CD accounts | Monthly paper statement fee | Learn More | Read Our Full Review | ||||
Fidelity | Trust investment and cash management accounts | Investing fees and (optional) personal trust service fees | Learn More | Read Our Full Review | ||||
Synchrony Bank | Trust savings, CD and money market accounts | No monthly maintenance, overdraft or low balance fees | Learn More | On Synchrony Bank's Website Member FDIC |
What Is a Trust Account and How Does It Work?
Trust accounts are bank accounts set up to hold assets belonging to a trust. These can be checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, investment accounts and more.
A trust account works by holding and protecting assets placed by one or more individuals, known as grantors, before transferring them to recipients, known as beneficiaries. When a grantor sets up a trust, they are creating a separate legal entity designed to ultimately pass on ownership of assets when requirements are satisfied. Here’s a closer look at how this works.
- A grantor names beneficiaries to eventually own assets, as well as a trustee or trustees to manage assets.
- The grantor transfers assets to the trust, opening trust accounts at banks as needed to hold cash and investments.
- The trustee manages the trust and trust accounts on behalf of the beneficiaries until assets are distributed.
What Is the Purpose of a Trust Account?
The purpose of a trust account is to hold money and other assets belonging to a trust. A trust account can be used for specific goals, such as:
- Protecting assets until they can be transferred to designated beneficiaries
- Paying for things beneficiaries need, such as college tuition or personal items
- Covering trust expenses, such as paying a mortgage on trust property
Trust accounts are owned by a trust and managed by trustees, but the assets in them will ultimately belong to beneficiaries. A trustee has a fiduciary duty to use trust assets to benefit beneficiaries.
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What Are the Different Types of Trust Accounts?
There are many different types of trusts a grantor can create, any of which can be used to open a trust account. Common types of trusts include:
- Revocable living trusts. These trusts are created during a grantor’s lifetime and can be changed and modified. They can be used to transfer funds to individuals or charities.
- Irrevocable trusts. These trusts can’t be changed or canceled once established. They can provide protection, privacy and advantages to help reduce estate taxes.
- Special needs trusts. A special needs trust names a person with disabilities as a beneficiary without jeopardizing their access to other government benefits. A trustee manages assets and pays expenses on behalf of the beneficiary in this arrangement.
- Testamentary trusts. This type of trust is written into a last will and testament and takes effect after a grantor dies. It can be used to leave money to minors and family members or make donations.
- Charitable remainder trusts. Charitable remainder trusts are irrevocable trusts used to pay beneficiaries for life or a designated period of time. After this, the rest is donated to charity.
These are some of the more typical types of trusts you can create, but there are many others. Any type of trust may require a trust bank account to hold assets. Trust bank accounts can be:
- Checking or cash management accounts
- Savings accounts
- Money market accounts
- CDs
How Do You Open a Trust Account?
Different financial institutions establish their own rules for opening a trust account. In general, here are the steps you will take to open a trust bank account.
- Choose a financial institution or brokerage.
- Find or request an application for a trust account.
- Provide required documentation, which may include the trust agreement or a portion of it.
- Verify your identity as a grantor or trustee.
- Open the account and transfer trust assets.
In many cases, you can also convert an existing personal account into a trust account by transferring ownership of the account to the trust and management to the trustee.
You will need to have a trust in place before opening a trust account, so consider consulting with an estate planning attorney to set up a trust if you haven’t already.
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